Hegel H590 - Dual Mono Integrated Amplifier

The Hegel H590 - Integrated Dual Mono Amplifier is an incredibly capable amplifier that pushes your equipment to their limits. The H590 competes with the big-boys in terms of its reference amplifier attributes. It manages to get up to the clinical and analytical level of ampification. However, it winds itself back just enough to what our owner Carl describes as its "fun band." It brings out the excitement and emotion from your music and absolutely demands performance from the other equipment in your set-up.

Opinion not Marketing Speak

The bottom end on the Hegel H590 is better than what a lot of speakers can deal with. This isn't a fault with the amplifier however, it just means you need some serious speakers to reveal what this amp can do. The H590 will really want to dig deep into your speakers' low frequency response.

We've had the H590 plugged into Wharfedale Linton's all the way up to Dynaudio Contour 60i's. Including a few Heritage Special's and Special Forty's and even an ocassional Yamaha NS1000. This highlighted that the H590 demands everything from each speaker and will reveal more and more as the speakers class goes up.

The combination of the Hegel H590 and Dynaudio Heritage Special is a combination that gives us a Studio Incar literal goosebumps!

Watch Studio Incar's Video Review of the Hegel 590 Amplifier

Perfect Character Retention at any Volume

Some cheaper amplifiers exhibit a change of character as the volume control is incremetally adjusted. This can be in the form of an EQ alteration or a perception of sound alteration that is hard to explain in words.

The Hegel H590 however, is incredibly consistent throughout its volume curve. It perfectly retains its character whether its super loud or at reasonable neighbour friendly volumes. It posseses a low volume grip that sounds big and powerful yet retains it sonic character.

However, you'll want to push the amp to reveal its superior damping qualities that really come alive when the volume goes north of 50.

Delicate and Powerful

We've had the Hegel 590 running for countless hours in our listening area at many volumes. One of the reasons we like to run it loud is because it has an amazing ability to sound powerful and delicate at the same time. Delicacy, Dynamics and Air is delivered through the higher frequencies and power through the low and mid-range. This amp manages to weave these elements beautifully to reveal a huge depth of sound that really has to be heard.

Digital Analog Conversion at the Highest Level

Many nowadays are using digital music as their main source of listening. Great care has been put into the DAC, where all signals will be kept in their original form throughout. If you play high resolution or CD-format, they will all be played in their native form for the best sound quality. Via the USB input, the H590 will also support high-end formats like DSD (Direct Stream Digital). The Hegel H590 includes MQA (Master Quality Authenticated) decoding and rendering technology, which enables you to play back MQA audio files and streams, delivering you the sound of the original master recording.

The Hegel H590 includes user-friendly services such as Apple AirPlay, while at the same time embracing ultra high-performance formats like DSD. With SoundEngine 2 technology and Hegel’s finest amplifier implementation to date, the H590 really personifies the strive to bring High End to the people. The H590 uses the patented SoundEngine2 technology combined with very high power, low distortion amplifier design. The result is unmatched dynamic capabilities while still maintaining a smooth, natural sound with all the details of the music. You will experience a huge soundstage and only want to turn the volume up, up, up and up.

Digital Streaming you say..?

The Hegel H590 is also a dream for people who are into streaming. First of all, there is UPnP (Universal Plug & Play) streaming and second, there is Hegel’s proprietary implementation of AirPlay. That means Apple Airplay user-friendliness combined with the high-performance Hegel sound. It does not stop there though, as the H590 is also software upgradable, and additional functionality will become available in the future.

If you live in a smart home, the H590 can be a natural part of that too. With services like Control4 built in, and 2-way IP control for other smart home control systems, using the H590 can be as easy as switching on the lights. In short, while many high-performance audio systems are made “only” for the enthusiast himself, the H590 is designed to give joy to the entire family.

External Review

Hi-Fi Choice Magazine give the Hegel 590 its Editors Award rating. Read the Full Review HERE.

What's in the Box?

• Hegel H590 - Integrated Amplifier
• User Manual
• Power Cable
• Hegel RC8 - Remote Control
• Accessory Box

Technical Specifications

• Power Output: 2 x 301 W into 8 Ω, Dual Mono
• Minimum Load: 2 Ω
• Analog Inputs: 2 x balanced (XLR), 3 x unbalanced (RCA)
• Digital Outputs: 1 x coaxial (BNC)
• Digital Inputs: 1 x coaxial (BNC), 1 x coaxial (RCA), 3 x optical, 1 x USB, 1 x Network
• Line level Output: 1 x unbalanced fixed (RCA), 1 x unbalanced variable (RCA)
• MQA supported Inputs: USB
• Frequency Response: 5 Hz - 180 kHz
• Signal-to-noise Ratio: More than 100 dB
• Crosstalk: Less than -100 dB
• Distortion: Less than 0.005% @ 50 W/8 Ω/1 kHz
• Intermodulation: Less than 0.01% (19 kHz + 20 kHz)
• Damping Factor: More than 4000 (main power output stage)
• Dimensions incl feet: 17.1 cm x 43 cm x 44.5 cm (HxWxD), 22 kg unit weight

Further Information

Hegel H590 - Stereo Integrated Amplifier - User Manual